That's an excellent question. I think other countries are doing some things that we certainly could model. When I had an opportunity to visit Germany—this, I think, is where I was the most inspired—I saw that true relationship between government, employers, and academic institutions. It starts as young as high school, as a matter of fact.
The critical component was really the three parties working so closely together. Government was there to provide some support, to provide the legislative element, and to provide some of the funding that allowed this program to go on. The employers were there in terms of their commitment to having the skills training and experiential learning on site in their shops. I visited thyssenkrupp, for example, a large steel manufacturer. Some of you may be familiar with them. They have 25% apprenticeship rates with their employees.
That partnership we witnessed is something I think we're very interested in. We have some challenges in that we have a different set of jurisdictional realities in Canada than perhaps they have in Germany, but we think there's a very promising model in bringing together government, academic institutes such as colleges and polytechnics, and employers to create opportunities for experiential learning. That's what's advised us in the student work placement program—that opportunity to create those relationships.
Just as in Germany, what is happening in Canada already is showing some promise in that employers are saying, “I've invested this time in this young person, and it's been a worthwhile investment.” They've invested half their salary, in some cases, and the time to train them to a very specific role in their company. They get a chance to actually see how that individual will work out. That investment propels them to make a permanent job offer. That's exactly what we're hoping for with an increase in student work placements.